5. Cognitive Treatment for Depression

What are the treatments for depression?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)

What is CBT?

Aims to reduce depression by identifying, challenging and changing negative thoughts and behaviours

How does CBT work?

Therapist help patients identify negative schemas and automatic negative thoughts(about self, world and future) that maintain depression, then challenge and replace them with more realistic.

Patients are also helped to test the reality of their negative beliefs- set “homework”, such as record whether someone is nice to them. The evidence is then used in future sessions to dispute their negative beliefs

What is REBT?

It is an extension of ABC model to ABCDE. It aims to identify and dispute (challenge) irrational thoughts and beliefs, leading to a positive effect.

D-dispute

E- effect

How does REBT work?

The therapist enthusiastically “argues” with patient to change their irrational beliefs, breaking the link between negative events and depression.

What are the 2 types of arguments in REBT?

Empirical argument- disputing whether there is actually evidence to support negative beliefs

Logical argument- disputing whether the negative thought is logical in following the facts

Evaluations

Research support

Ev: Research found that CBT was as effective as antidepressants in reducing depression, and the most effective treatment was a combination of CBT and medication. Ex: CBT is effective treatment, particularly when used alongside medication, suggesting that targeting negative thinking plays an important role. L: High external validity and practical value, as works in real world clinical settings and with wide range of patients.

Not suitable for sever depression

Ev: CBT requires pp to engage in task (challenging negative thoughts and do homework), which some severely depressed individuals may struggle to do, due to low motivation. Ex: If pp are unable to fully engage as required, CBT may not be effective in addressing their symptoms. L: Reduces generalisability, can’t be successfully applied to all.

Too simplistic

Ev: CBT mainly focuses on changing negative thoughts and beliefs, but depression also involves emotional and biological factors. Ex: Suggest that changing cognition alone may not fully reduce emotional distress or explain all symptoms, particularly in more complex cases. L: Reduces explanatory power, doesn’t provide a complete explanation or treatment for all aspects